View source for Wizards & Warriors (2000 video game)

{{Short description|2000 role-playing video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title= Wizards & Warriors
|image= Wizards & Warriors Cover.jpg
|caption = Cover art by [[Keith Parkinson]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.keithparkinson.com/product/wizards-warriors-original-pencil-sketch/|title=Wizards & Warriors Original Pencil Sketch|website=[[Keith Parkinson]]|accessdate=April 2, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323170636/https://www.keithparkinson.com/product/wizards-warriors-original-pencil-sketch/|archivedate=March 23, 2023|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|developer= [[Heuristic Park]]
|publisher= [[Activision]]
|designer= [[David W. Bradley]], [[Nathan Cheever]]
|composer= [[Steve Miller (game designer)|Steve Miller]]
|engine=
|released= {{vgrelease|NA|October 4, 2000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/030/010/ww.html|title=Wizards & Warriors Released|last=Fudge|first=James|website=[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]]|publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc.|date=October 4, 2000|accessdate=June 3, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030530092100/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/030/010/ww.html|archivedate=May 30, 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref>|EU|October 6, 2000|AUS|2000}}
|genre= [[Role-playing video game]]
|series=
|modes= [[Single-player]]
|platforms= [[Microsoft Windows]]
}}
'''''Wizards & Warriors''''' is a [[role-playing video game]] for [[Microsoft Windows]] designed by [[David W. Bradley]].
== Gameplay ==
Gameplay is similar in style to Bradley's earlier ''[[Wizardry]]'' games. Players control a party of characters through a first-person perspective and fight turn-based combats. Outside of combat, the game is real-time. Characters can join guilds that give exclusive quests, and each character maintains their own individual quest log.<ref name=hardcore>{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/wizardry-stones-of-arnhem/|title=Wizardry: Stones of Arnhem|last=Derboo|first=Sam|website=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=October 31, 2012|accessdate=September 8, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106161408/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/wizardry/wizardry11.htm|archivedate=November 6, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Guilds also allow characters to switch classes. Characters can switch classes as many times as they like but can not return to a class once they change from it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/02/wizards-warriors-2|title=Wizards & Warriors (Preview)|last=Blevins|first=Tal|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=March 1, 2000|accessdate=April 2, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107163244/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/02/wizards-warriors-2|archivedate=November 7, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Development ==
Development began in 1996 and lasted four years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/wizards-and-warriors-preview/1100-2611498/|title=Wizards & Warriors Preview [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006"]|last=Kasavin|first=Greg|website=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[Fandom (website)|Fandom]]|date=August 3, 2000|accessdate=April 2, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010609115640/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/previews/0,10869,2611498,00.html|archivedate=June 9, 2001|url-status=live}}</ref> Bradley initially reported the game would have a system that allowed players to choose between real-time and turn-based combat, though this was later abandoned. Competitive multiplayer was also planned based on the guild system, though this, too, was removed.<ref name=hardcore/>
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== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 70/100<ref name=mc>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/wizards-and-warriors/|title=Wizards & Warriors|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=Fandom|accessdate=April 2, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402154649/https://www.metacritic.com/game/wizards-and-warriors/|archivedate=April 2, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Allgame = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=23649&tab=review|title=Wizards & Warriors (PC) - Review|last=House|first=Michael L.|website=[[AllGame]]|publisher=[[All Media Network]]|accessdate=September 8, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114140430/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=23649&tab=review|archivedate=November 14, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| CNG = 7/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0%2C6%2C0-4873%2C00.html|title=Wizards & Warriors|last=Bub|first=Andrew S.|website=Gamecenter|publisher=[[CNET]]|date=October 11, 2000|accessdate=June 3, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20001019040845/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-4873,00.html|archivedate=October 19, 2000|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| CGSP = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/030/140/wizanwar_review.html|title=Wizards and Warriors [sic]|last=D'Aprile|first=Jason|website=Computer Games Strategy Plus|publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc.|date=November 11, 2000|accessdate=September 8, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030418224245/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/030/140/wizanwar_review.html|archivedate=April 18, 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| CGW = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_199.pdf|title=Good, Bad, & Ugly (''Wizards & Warriors'' Review)|last=Chick|first=Tom|magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]]|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=199|date=February 2001|pages=108–09|accessdate=April 2, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315030345/https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_199.pdf|archivedate=March 15, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
| EPD = 4.5/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=4771&full=1#mr_toppy|title=Wizards & Warriors|last=Canoa|first=Rafael|website=[[EP Daily|The Electric Playground]]|publisher=Greedy Productions Ltd.|date=December 27, 2000|accessdate=April 2, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020911003245/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=4771&full=1#mr_toppy|archivedate=September 11, 2002|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GI = 5/10<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Wizards & Warriors (PC)|last=Reppen|first=Erik|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|publisher=[[FuncoLand]]|issue=92|date=December 2000|page=134}}</ref>
| GameRev = C<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33086-wizards-warriors-review|title=Wizards & Warriors Review|last=Ferris|first=Duke|website=[[GameRevolution]]|publisher=[[CraveOnline]]|date=October 2000|accessdate=September 8, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919084610/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/wizards-warriors|archivedate=September 19, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpot = 7/10<ref name=gspot>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wizards-and-warriors-review/1900-2636305/|title=Wizards & Warriors Review (PC)|last=Park|first=Andrew Seyoon|website=GameSpot|publisher=Fandom|date=October 3, 2000|accessdate=April 2, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20001109234900/http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2636305,00.html|archivedate=November 9, 2000|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpy = 68%<ref name=GSpy>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/october00/wandw/|title=Wizards and Warriors [sic]|last1=Lally|first1=Will|last2=Haumersen|first2=Tina|website=[[GameSpy]]|publisher=IGN Entertainment|date=October 21, 2000|accessdate=November 6, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20001110041700/http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/october00/wandw/|archivedate=November 10, 2000|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GameZone = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r14325.htm|title=Wizards & Warriors Review - PC|last=Lafferty|first=Michael|website=GameZone|date=October 9, 2000|accessdate=September 8, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010014441/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r14325.htm|archivedate=October 10, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| IGN = 8.4/10<ref name=ign>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/30/wizards-warriors|title=Wizards & Warriors (PC)|last=Blevins|first=Tal|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=September 29, 2000|accessdate=April 2, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520180706/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/30/wizards-warriors|archivedate=May 20, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| NGen = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name=ngen>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen73Jan2001/page/n113/mode/2up|title=Wizards and Warriors [sic]|last=Trueman|first=Doug|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]]|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|issue=73|date=January 2001|page=113|accessdate=September 7, 2020}}</ref>
| PCGUS = 74%<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Wizards & Warriors|magazine=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=Imagine Media|volume=7|issue=12|date=December 2000|page=144}}</ref>
}}
The game received "average" reviews according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name=mc/> Sam Derboo of ''Hardcore Gaming 101'' wrote that it "feels like Bradley's alternative ''Wizardry 8''".<ref name=hardcore/> In comparing the two games' dungeons, Derboo said the dungeons of ''Wizards & Warriors'' are more complex.<ref name=hardcore/> Andrew Seyoon Park of ''[[GameSpot]]'' wrote that the game seems to be unimpressive at first, perhaps because of its long development, but provides "many hours of exploration and character building".<ref name=gspot/> Tal Blevins of ''[[IGN]]'' complimented the game's graphics and voice acting, though he wrote that the controls can be annoying. Blevins concluded, "If you like old-school RPGs, you'll fall in love with ''Wizards & Warriors''."<ref name=ign/> Jonathan Houghton of ''The Adrenaline Vault'' likened it to ''[[EverQuest]]'', saying that the game's unoriginal storyline is compensated for by its depth and longevity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avault.com/reviews/print_review.asp?game=wizwar|title=Wizards & Warriors|last=Houghton|first=Jonathan|website=The Adrenaline Vault|date=October 30, 2000|accessdate=November 6, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060207180941/http://www.avault.com/reviews/print_review.asp?game=wizwar|archivedate=February 7, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> In criticizing the game's controls, graphics, and story, Will Lally and Tina Haumersen of ''[[GameSpy]]'' wrote, "Aside from some nostalgia value, there is nothing to recommend this game."<ref name=GSpy/> Doug Trueman of ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]]'' wrote, "What might have been a decent RPG a couple of years ago can't compete today with the likes of ''[[Diablo II]]'' and ''[[Icewind Dale]]''."<ref name=ngen/> Brian Wright of ''[[GamePro]]'' wrote, "RPG fans looking for a change of pace from ''[[Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn|Baldur's Gate II]]'' and who are willing to overlook a few flaws may want to give ''Wizards & Warriors'' a chance."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/7061.shtml|title=Wizards & Warriors Review for PC on GamePro.com|last=Wright|first=Brian|magazine=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=October 19, 2000|accessdate=September 8, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041109202032/http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/7061.shtml|archivedate=November 9, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{efn|''[[GamePro]]'' gave the game three 3.5/5 scores for graphics, control, and fun factor, and 4/5 for sound.}}
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==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{MobyGames|id=/2828/wizards-warriors/}}
* {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528132304/http://www.heuristicpark.com/deep6.htm|date=May 28, 2016|title=Heuristic Park's Wizards & Warriors page}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wizards and Warriors (Video Game)}}
[[Category:2000 video games]]
[[Category:Activision games]]
[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Windows-only games]]